Leeds v Palace
Elland Road League Saturday 3pm
Story so far
Leeds' current position was not predicted at the beginning of the season. They got themselves into the playoff final last season but lost to Watford.
This season, most Leeds supporters would have hoped that Blackwell and Bates would be able to improve on the situation last year and push on towards the automatic spots or finish in the playoffs.
However, Leeds have struggled to score goals and to win, resulting in them sitting at the bottom of the table. Bates' aim for the season was to get the club into a debt-free state, but waning support and income may even make this an impossibility.
Relegation to the third tier of English football for the first time in their history certainly looks possible, but surely Leeds have the name and history to avoid the drop. Just ask Forest supporters.
Quotes
"I think everyone in our division feels that Leeds will not go down," said Taylor.
"They have good experience, good players and have had a very difficult time.
"I know they have a few injuries like us, but it will be a very tough place to go and we would like to go there and get a win."
Leeds - league stats
Full league table
Position Played Won Drawn Lost Points
24th 30 8 3 19 27
Leeds - current form
Played Won Drawn Lost For Against
5 2 0 3 8 11
Our away record v Leeds
Played Won Drawn Lost For Against
27 6 4 17 51 20
One to watch
David Healy
Healy is one of those strange players that has always had the ability to be a fantastic domestic player, but has lacked that extra something to make him a chart-topping goalscorer.
Although Blackwell favoured playing Healy out on the wing, he still managed to hit the back of the net 12 times in 05/06, helping to fire Leeds into the playoffs.
However, Wise has taken to using Healy as a supersub where his skill and pace can find some space to create an opening. Unfortunately for Leeds, goals are hard to come by this season.
Healy's international record for Northern Ireland cannot be questioned with 24 goals in 54 appearances, but his inconsistancy has meant that he can't quite follow this record in the domestic game.
As top scorer, he poses the biggest threat in terms of conceding goals but the lack of cohe
Leeds's top scorer
David Healy - 7 goals in 23 matches
Leeds's bad boy
Jonathon Douglas - 12 0
Palace old boys
None
Team news
Jobi McAnuff
Peter Taylor is sweating on the fitness on several players.
Midfield trio Jobi McAnuff (hamstring), Stuart Green (shoulder) and Michael Hughes (illness) are major doubts.
There are concerns over the fitness of defender Danny Granville, midfielder Ben Watson and winger Paul Ifill.
Tom Soares starts his three-match ban after his red card in the 2-0 win over Ipswich last weekend.
Leeds keeper Graham Stack is expected to return inbetween the sticks after recovering from ankle ligament damage.
Winger Eddie Lewis may be available again after recovering from a leg injury. Jonathan Douglas (hamstring) is definitely out.
David Healy (broken arm), Tore Andre Flo (fractured foot), midfielder Shaun Derry (Achilles) and defender Gary Kelly (ankle) are still sidelined.
Ref watch
Last meeting
Palace 1-0 Leeds
Sunday August 13 2006
Palace: Kiraly, Granville, Hudson, Cort, Butterfield, Soares (Morrison 73), Watson (Freedman 45), Kennedy, McAnuff, Fletcher, Scowcroft.
Subs Not Used: Flinders, Lawrence, Borrowdale
Yellow: Watson, McAnuff
Goals: Morrison 90
Leeds: Warner, Kelly, Crainey, Kilgallon, Butler, Westlake, Derry, Stone (Carole 90), Lewis (Richardson 74), Horsfield, Healy (Moore 76).
Subs Not Used: Gregan, Blake
Sent Off: Horsfield (15)
Booked: Kilgallon, Kelly
Fra: The Holmesdale Online (
http://www.holmesdale.net/page.php?id=82&story=3388)
- som ikke har fått med seg Healy og armbrudd.
